How many children do you have and what are their age(s)?
Two children – Stella (4), Joey (7 in May)
How long have you lived in (your town)? What made you decide to live here?
Have lived here since 2016. Grew up in Chester about 30 minutes away and always loved Madison. Adore the town center, charming businesses, and spirit of community.
What’s your favorite family activity Chatham, Madison or Summit?
Riding bikes at Loantaka followed by lunch at Charley’s Aunt in Chatham.
Where’s your favorite place to eat and/or shop Chatham, Madison or Summit?
Eat – Love all of the restaurants. Some staples we really enjoy are: Grillera, Biladi Grill, Osteria Trevi, Palm Thai, Blue Wazabi & Yuki Hana, Nicky’s Firehouse
Shop:
I love to shop consignment stores like Kids’ Consignments. Also shop at The Pink Pear, Sugar Rush, Crowley’s Cupcakes
What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I’m 1/8 Venezuelan
Anyone special you’d like to thank for helping you through parenthood?
My parents who live about 25 minutes away in Chester. My mother retired from teaches and now watches our kids 3 days a week and has been incredibly helpful to our family. My father comes over some mornings to watch the kids when I have to train clients early.
Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor, or in the corporate world? Please share!
Yes, I am the owner and founder of Fitness For Mankind—a boutique fitness company in Madison. We started out in a Church on Green Avenue renting space. The company is devoted to accountability and bringing together like-minded men and women to the classes which are strength based (broken down into upper/lower/total M/W/F & Cardio + Resistance HIIT workouts on Tuesdays/Thursdays. We primarily train stay at home moms during the daytime hours in small group class formats and private sessions. We offer nutritional coaching as well, which two of our trainers spearhead. Clients find that implementing the nutrition coaching with the classes is what gets the best results. We really have a nice community of clients from Madison, Chatham, Florham Park, New Providence and some other towns nearby. We recently started doing private events, which has been fun and exciting!
How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
The community is full of family-oriented, active people with good values. My kids participate in activities with other supportive families who are fun to be around. Building a business in which I have the opportunity to help people in Madison and the surrounding areas feel better, is very rewarding.
What’s your favorite form of self-care?
Exercise….DUH! haha I absolutely love trying out new workouts I’ve written or trainers that work with FFM come up with. Also when I have time, I venture into the city to take a class at studios like The FHITTING Room where a former colleague instructs. You can learn so much just from one class.